Satellite images reveal Earth’s natural art

The images below were taken by NASA satellites and a joint NASA/U.S. Geological Survey satellite, which orbit about 440 miles above Earth collecting data that are used to study changes in land cover, forest growth, water resources and the atmosphere. The satellites’ instruments can take in a much broader range of light than is visible to the human eye; some of the images here were made using infrared, red and blue wavelengths that bring out details in the terrain. Seventy-five of the images — which span the globe and cover a wide range of terrain — are collected in “Earth As Art,” (NASA, $44); they are also available free as an iPad app or an e-book.